Grant Sends Eagles Back to Earth

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Fox Lake (Grant High School) - Grant wasn't out to just win a game on Friday night, instead they wanted some respect in the North Suburban Prairie division.
The Bulldogs earned some recognition getting past visiting Lakes 31-14 in Fox Lake.
Also, Grant's running back Joey Claver (22 carries, 160 yards) rushed for 3 TD's including breaking one for 86 yards and quarterback Frank Giannosa scored on a 50 yard run and threw for another touchdown.
"We were worried and knew they (Lakes) is a good football team," Grant coach Kurt Rous said. "We had to approach the game with a chip on our shoulder. They were the ones getting all the pub. We stressed to the kids that there's two football teams playing this game.
"I think we're a pretty good football team and we approached the game, with them coming to our place and they've got to go through us. Our kids just rose to the occasion.
Grant (3-2, 2-0) jumped out to a 24-0 advantage by late in the second quarter before Lakes got on the board with a score.
Claver broke free for his 86-yard score and nobody could catch him.
"The whole line is blocking tremendously and making huge holes for me," said Claver, who has 5 touchdowns in the last two games.
"I just got the ball and I saw an open field. I got the blocking and it was my job to run it in."
Lakes (4-1, 2-1) has rebounded with a couple of second half comebacks through its first four victories, but couldn't mount another in this one. The Eagles realized what its like with teams gearing up for them.
"We got beat and we've got no excuses," Lakes coach Luke Mertens said. "They (Grant) showed that they can be a tough team.
"We've got a different circumstance now, because we've got a bulls eye on our backs. Our kids have never ever been in this position before. You're now in a position where everyone wants to beat you. We just got their best effort."
The Eagles' wide receiver Sean Hertz (5 catches, 127 yards) caught a 51-yard touchdown pass and Frank Soto added a 3-yard touchdown run.